Combination wall receptacle and plug switch



April 28, 1953 T. J. BOADWAY COMBINATION WALL RECEPTACLE AND PLUG SWITCHFiled Aug. 14, 1950 Z! Jfioadwa y INVENTOR a I I M 4 a J ATTORNEYSPatented Apr. 28, 1953 OFFICE PLUG SWITCH COMBINATION'WALL RECEPTACLEAND Thaddeus J. Boadway, Pampa, Tex. Application August 14, 1950, SerialNo. 179,331

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a combination wall receptacle and plug switch,the primary object of the invention being to insure a more positiveconnection between the wall receptacle and contacts of the plug insertedtherein.

Another object of the invention is to provid a combination receptacleand plu switch wherein a plurality of contact plugs may be securedthereto. I

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination Wallreceptacle and plug switch wherein a plug inserted in the slot of thereceptacle cover, will be held securely in place against displacement,until the plug has been moved to a predetermined position to release theplug from the receptacle cover.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a plug switchwhich may be moved to complete a circuit through wires carried by theplug or break the circuit by merely turning the plug within the openingof the wall receptacle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure 1 is an elevational view illustrating acombined receptacle and plug switch, constructed in accordance with theinvention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a disconnected view illustrating the inner end of the switchand plug.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicatesthe receptacle base which as shown is elongated, and provided withopenings at its ends, for the reception of screws 6, which secure thereceptacle to its supporting surface.

The reference character I indicates the cover plate for the receptacle,which cover plate is provided with a flange I formed at the marginthereof, which flange is also formed with opening to receive the screws6, by means of which the cover plate I is secured to the base 5.

The cover plate is provided with an elongated opening 9 withsubstantially circular openings II] at its end, the substantiallycircular openings I0 providing the entrance openings to the interior ofthe receptacle, through which the electric plugs to be used with thewall receptacle, are extended in positioning the plugs on the wallreceptacle.

, Disposed within the wall receptacle, and forming a part thereof, arethe contact blades I I which extend in parallel spaced relation withrespect to each other, directly under the cover plate of the wallreceptacle, the contact blades being disposed adjacent to the edges ofthe elongated opening 9.

The contact blades I I have one of their respective ends secured to thebase 5, which is constructed of insulating material, by means of thebolts I2 which extend through the base 5, the bolts providing terminalsto which the Wires I3 of the electric circuit used in connection withthe wall socket, are secured.

The opposite ends I4 of the contact blades II, bear against the surfaceof the base 5 and normally hold the contact blades outwardly and in sucha way that the contact blades will yield when a plug is inserted withinthe wall receptacle and moved into contact with the blades I I, therebyinsuring a true contact between the blade and plug associated therewith.

The plug which is used in connection with the wall receptacle formingthe essence of the present invention, is indicated generally by thereference character I5 and is provided with an extension I6 on one endthereof, the extension being designed to pass through the opening II ofthe disc I8 which is supplied with indicia indicating On and Off. Formedintegral with the disc I8, is the elongated bushin I9 which is of awidth to move freely in the slot 9 in such a way that the disc I8 willbe held against rotation, as the plug I5 is rotated to complete or breaka circuit through the plug and wall receptacle.

The reference character 20 indicates an insulated contact disc which isprovided with a central opening 2I adapted to align with the opening I1and bore of the extension I6, to accommodate the screw 2| for securingthe insulated contact disc in position. This contact disc 20 backs upthe disc I8 to further hold the plug within the elongated opening 9 ofthe cover plate I.

Contact points 22 are secured to the disc 20 and are so arranged thatwhen the plug I5 is rotated a predetermined distance in one direction,the contact points 22 will engage the contact blades I I, completing acircuit through the wires 23 that extend through the plug 5 and providean electric circuit to an electric appliance, lamp or the like.

The plug I5 is provided with an extension 24 3 which provides anindicator which extends in the direction of the indicia On and Off, sothat the person using the plug may determine the position of thecontacts 22 with respect to the contact blades.

When using the combination receptacle and plug switch, the plug isinserted in one of the circular openings II at the ends of theelongatedopening 9, and slid laterally. When it is desired to complete a circuitthrough the contact blades and contact points of the disc 20, the plugI5 is rotated to move the plug until the indicator 24 falls opposite tothe indicia On. In this pasition, the contact points 22 are firmlypressed. against the contact blades providing an electrical circuit. Itfollows that several of these plugs may be inserted in the openings atthe ends of the elongated opening, and electric current taken on" foroperating various types of electrical appliances or the like. It willrunner be seen that the plugs can only be removed from the wallreceptacle, by sliding the plugs longitudinally thereof opposite to acircular opening at one end of the wall receptacle, where the plugs maybe readily withdrawn.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:-

A wall receptacle comprising a base, a; cover plate secured to the basein spaced relation therewith, said cover plate having an elongatedopening disposed longitudinally thereof with substantially circularopenings at the ends thereof, a pair of contact blades secured to thebase at one of their respective ends, the opposite ends of the contactblades being movable with respect to the base, a plug having contactmembers movable over the contact blades completing a circuit, a bushingformed on the plug, said bushing being fitted within the elongatedopening of the cover plate guiding said plug along the cover plate, aninsulated contact disc to which said bushing is secured,-. said plugoperating said disc and moving the contact members into and out ofcontact with the contact blades, and wires connected with the plug andcontact blades, providing electrical circuits.

THADDEUS J. BOADWAY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,669,666 Laub May 15, 1928 2,042,105 Kelley May 26, 19362,064,199- Elder Dec. 15, 1936 2,076,558 Hartman Apr. 13, 1937

